Malvern Media

Minister dwells on plans

A SUPER development planned for 590 Orrong Rd would bring traffic and public transport woes to Armadale as well as stifle public space, State Parliament has heard.

Malvern state Liberal MP Michael O'Brien used a brief window in Parliament last week to communicate residents' fears raised at a July community meeting.

He said residents were concerned the development would negatively impact on amenity, traffic conditions and open space in the area.

Draft plans for the 2.5ha site from property giant Vivas Lend Lease show about 490 dwellings in a mixture of townhouses and apartment blocks of up to 16 storeys.

Mr O'Brien said there was also concern that Toorak railway station could not cope with present peak-hour passenger numbers, let alone the proposed influx of new residents.

He said residents also felt the project would potentially be called in by the Planning Minister.

``Local residents are entitled to see Stonnington Council make a decision that takes into account all relevant factors, including the legitimate concerns of the surrounding area,'' Mr O'Brien said.

Vivas Lend Lease has lodged a planning submission with the council containing draft development plans and a request to rezone the site as mixed use.

Vivas Lend Lease executive director Hugh Martin said now that the planning application was lodged with the council, residents would be able to comment on it when it was placed on public exhibition.

He said developers had already engaged with residents through voluntary community consultation.

Orrong Group convener Kirsten Anderson said there appeared to be little research into the feasibility of the project's size or scrutiny of the development's appropriateness in relation to present infrastructure.